Hadrian denarius with short obverse legend

[timka]

Hi!

This denarius of Hadrian lacks two last letters on the obverse (VS) - so that legend reads AVGVST instead of AVGVSTVS. My first impression was that it was a mistake  done by the die cutter, when he ran out of space. RIC does not list any denarii with short legend, only mentions such aurieus with she-wolf citing Cohen in footnote. Under closer inspection I have just figured two other denarii with such short obverse in RSC, perhaps all noted by Strack. But none with Concordia on reverse, but there is a mess with Concordia type in RSC, as Cohen confused Concordia with Vesta. So far I was told only about one similar denarius with Concordia sold by G&M. So this must by a rare type  because of very rare short obverse legend, which appeared to be not a mistake, but a regular issue instead!

Ob. HADRIANVS AVGVST laur head right with drapery on far shoulder
Rev. COS III Concordia seated left

RIC (-), RSC (-)

3,21g - 18/19mm - 7h

Thanks much for your time.

[curtislclay]

It was Strack nos. 140-145 who recognized this obv. legend as official and regular, describing the Wolf and Twins aureus cited by Cohen (3 spec.) plus five denarius types, all with just COS III on reverse:

Concordia seated, like your coin (2 spec.)

Diana standing (1 spec.)

Libertas standing (4)

Roma standing (4)

Spes advancing (2).

[okidoki]

Nice Catch Timka,

Spes
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-127805
Libertas
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-127347

thank you on the information Curtis

[timka]

Curtis, thank you for letting know info from Strack, as RSC is sometimes tricky to navigate.

Eric, thank you for showing other rare types with short legend! Happy to see both for the first time.